Automobile loading block



Aug. 28, 1934. o. P. M. 6055 1,971,402

AUTOMOBILE LOADING BLOCK FiledvApril 15, 1932 INVENTOR OLA/7? PM. G055 ATTORNEY ing its moving or Patented Aug. 28, 1934 UNITED STATES AUTOMOBILE LOADING BLOCK Oliver P. M. Goss, Seattle, Wash, assignor to Carllsle Lumber Company, Onalaska, Wash., a corporation of Washington a a Application April 15, 1932, Serial No. 665,472

4 Claims. (01. 188-32) This invention relates to improvements in automobile loading blocks, and more particularly to blocks of that character used in railway car shipment of automotive. vehicles; such blocks 5 being in the nature of abutment wedges designed to be fitted against front and rear faces of the vehicle wheels and then to be nailed to the floor of the railway car in which shipment is made, thereby to hold the vehicle securely by preventshifting its position during shipment.

Explanatory to this invention, it will be stated here that various kinds of loading blocks have been designed for this purpose. Some are of metallic construction, others a combination of wood and sheet metal, and still others are entirely of wood. One common type is a fabricated structure in which the pieces are secured together by nailing. Metal loading blocks have been found .20 not to be satisfactory for various reasons, prin-.

cipally because of their relatively expensive structure. The combination wood and metal, and also the fabricated structures are likewise undesirable because of the expense of construction and also because they are not of the desired rigidity and strength.

One piece, solid wooden blocks have heretoare prepared from green lumber and the objection to them has been that they must be sprinkled with water occasionally prior to their use or they will check and split incident to drying out, thus injuring them seriously or even making them valueless as shipping blocks. In fact there is a large percentage of loss from this cause alone where the-blocks are not kept thoroughly wetted down. i i

It is a fact also that solid wooden blocks which have been thoroughly dried out are apt to check 40 and split by reason of re-absorption of moisture.

.5 grain surfaces and extends towards the center.

Rte-absorption causes checking and splitting of the interior of the block. This has been shown to be primarily due to the fact that such blocks are quite short inlength, yet bulky, and have considerable endgrain exposure which causes quick drying out or quick absorption by end surface portions and slow drying out or absorp-- tion by the interior portions- Thus, unequal stresses and strains are set up which are destructive to a largepercentage of all blocks of this kind, especially in blocks that are eight inches by eight inches in cross section or larger.

In View of the objections and disadvantages found in loading blocks as previously used, it has been the principal object of this invention to provide a wooden one piece block that may be kiln dried, yet will not check or split by reason of drying out or by reasoncf subsequent reabsorption of moisture; which will have strength equalto or greater than the solid wooden blocks heretofore extensively used, and which will be of minimum Weight. l

More specifically, the present invention resides in the provision of a novel form of loading block and amethod of. construction which will eliminate all damage and loss due to drying out or absorption. Furthermore, a wooden block formed with borings'that permit substantially uniform drying out or absorption throughout the entire structure, thereby avoiding development in the block of internal stresses or strains that otherwise might result in checking or splitting. fore been used quite extensively. Usually these In accomplishing these objects, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein l Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a set of loading blocks as applied in use to a vehicle wheel.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of a block.

' Fig. Bis a cross section on line 3-3 inFig. 2. Fig. '4 is a plan view of the block. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a block, showing the underside thereof.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a block of an alternative type.

. I Referring more in detail to the drawing- The block of the present invention is cut from a wooden block with the grain extending lengthwise thereof; that is, in the direction of the vertical plane oflthe wheel to which it is applied. Such blocks vary in size, but a common size would be from seven to twelveinches long, by six to ten inches in width and height; these dimensions varying for blocks designed for different size, kinds and types of cars.

' The block 1, as illustrated, is formed with a flat base or bottom surface 2, a vertical outer end surface 3, parallel opposite side surfaces 4 and 5 and an amuately routed out inner end surface forming a seat 6 adapted to be fitted to the tire of the wheel to which the block is applied.

It will be readily observed that there would be considerable bulkiness to solid blocks of this kind and that when exposed to dry atmosphere they will dry out quickly in those portions closely adjacent the inner and outer end surfaces, and as a consequence, will check. The shortness of the block increases the liability of splitting. Furthermore, a checked block, when put under strain in use is liable to split and the damage done is not limited to loss of the block and necessity for its replacement, but includes also the possible damage to the vehicle to which the block is applied, by reason of failure of the block to hold it.

tively dried, before use, then when it is used in a damp atmosphere, re-absorption takes place quickly in the end surfaces and this likewise is" destructive to the block by causing internal splitting.

Therefore, it has been the primary object of the present invention to provide a wooden, one piece block with openings or borings therein, so located that re-absorption or drying out of all parts of the block, both interior and exterior thereof, may be effected in such a uniformmanner that the block will not be subjected to any strains or stresses that might cause any rupture or split therein, and furthermore, which will not in any way impair the strength of the block for the use intended or interfere in any way with such use. This object has been accomplished by provision of a relatively large hole 10 bored directly through the body of the block from side to side and at substantially equal distance from the bottom and end surfaces. Then there are two relatively large holes 1l-11 bored upwardly into the bottom surface and opening into the hole 10 as seen in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Also, drilled directly into the outer end surface of the block in a row parallel with, but somewhat below the top edge, are holes 12 terminating short of the seat 6 or inner end surface. Likewise, there is a lower row of holes 13 alined directly below the holes 12. These open into the hole 10 as in Fig. 2. By experiment, a definite size and relationship of these various holes has been determined; it being understood that the problem was not only to provide surface for drying or re-absorption, but to so locate the holes that the drying out or re-absorption would be of such uniformity that no destructive strains are set up in the block, or the strength of the block impaired for the use intended. The cross sectional views of the block will show that the interior structure of the body of the block is well exposed to outside air conditions. Drying out will proceed in all directions from the hole 10. Likewise, in

all directions from the other holes and from the end surfaces. The opposite side flanges of the seat 6 are relatively thin and the base of the seat is quite close to the bottom of the block and to the transverse bore 10 and holes 12. In fact, there are no bulky or thick portions left in the block which would lag in drying or re-absorption of moisture. The relationship of the various holes do not weaken the structure; this being due to the fact that in the vertical alinement of the holes 12 and 13, vertical columns of material are left between them as supports for the block seat. Also, these columns are integral with the upper end portion of the seat and tied together by an integral, transoversize. Should we assume that the solid block is eifec portion of the block by the parts designated at 21 in Fig. 3. The entire interior is a combination of arches and trusses which add to the strength and durability of the block for the reason that the exposed surfaces on said arches and trusses relieve the strains and stresses in changes of moisture content and relative shrinkage and swelling of the wood fiber.

It is a significant fact also that this same relationship and proportioning in size of the various holes can be maintained for blocks of various size.

The method preferred in preparing the block would be first to provide the block out slightly Then to bore the holes and rout out the seat to within a short distance of its finished depth. Ihen to kiln dry the block. After this,

the block is passed through parallel sizing saws 1 and trimmed to proper dimensions, and the seat routed to its finished size. Then nail holes, as

.at 30, are drilled in the block for toe nailing to the car floor.

These being located at the end and sides as shown.

This manner of construction eliminates all loss due to checks or splits, and makes possible use of the blocks in dry or moist climates. Re-absorption is taken care of just as eifectively as drying out, because of the fact that interior areas may be subjected to practically the same conditions as the exterior surfaces and whatever strains or stresses are produced incident to changes in moisture conditions of the atmosphere are rendered non-injurious.

The illustration of Fig. 6 shows an alternative construction which is eifective in so far as drychecking and splitting, was not entirely satisfactory as the leg was apt to split at the base of the notch, or the base was apt to split adjacent its junction with the leg. In fact the leg and seat were not sufliciently connected to give the necessary rigidity or strength required to the block to withstand the strain incident to its use with heavy cars.

An advantage gained in the construction of blocks, especially those of Fig. 1, is that it not only eliminates the possibility of checking or splitting but makes quick kiln drying possible and materially reduces the weight of the block; this being an important item to be considered when such blocks are shipped in car load lots. The routing out of the inner end surface also reduces the weight of the block, but what is more important is that it removes suflicient body that drying is possible without causing those interior strains or stresses that are destructive to the structure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is- 1. A loading block of the character described comprising a one piece, longitudinally grained block of wood, formed with a flat base surface and at one end having an inclined seat to receive thereagainst the object to be braced by the block; said block having a hole transversely through the body thereof, and having holes from the end opposite said seat directed thereinto toward the seat; said holes providing substantially uniform dissipation or absorption of moisture by r the block and the elimination stresses or strains.

2. A loading block of the character described comprising a one piece, longitudinal grained, wooden block of rectangular form; provided with a flat base surface and with an end seat shaped to receive the engaging surface of the object braced thereby; said block also being provided with a transverse bore through the body thereof and having holes directed upwardly thereinto from the base surface and directed inwardly from the end oppositethe seat to provide suflicient exposed surface interior of the block for substantially uniform drying out or absorption of moisture.

3. A block as in claim 2 wherein the holes provided in the end surface of the block are vertically alined to provide continuous vertical columns of material between them.

of detrimental 4. A loading block comprising a one piece, longitudinally grained wooden block of rectangular form, cut away at one end to provide a curved seat for fitting an automobile wheel, a hole transversely through the body portion of the block spaced at substantially equal distances from the bottom and end surfaces of the block, a plurality of holes directed into the block from the base thereof and entering the transverse hole; upper and lower rows of holes directed into the end surface of the block opposite the seat; said holes being arranged to provide uniformly distributed surfaces within the body of the block for uniform drying out or absorption of moisture by the block as a means of precluding detrimental checking orsplitting, and the holes of the said upper and lower rows being vertically alined.

OLIVER P. M. GOSS. 

